How Nimeiri's Rule Collapsed
Throughout
his rule of some 16 years, Nimeiri is reputed to have survived at least
twenty coup attempts. He was fond of combating palace intrigues and
plots by frequently shuffling his defence staff and cabinet. Observers
saw the introduction of Sharia as his adroit political gimmick to
absorb discontent in the Muslim north.
President Nimeiri developed and maintained rapport with his huge army
by giving soldiers good salaries and many privileges. However, from the
beginning of 1984, his most urgent challenge was the growing discontent
among students and civil servants. Corruption, inefficiency, scarcity
of essential commodities, and dearth of funds were already signaling
the impending fall of his rule by the beginning of 1985.
GEN. SWAR EL
DAHAB staged a long awaited coup against Nimeiri. He
was also toppled by El Bashir in 1989.
In late March 1985, Nimeiri left for the United States to ask for more
economic aid. In the wake of his departure, violent demonstrations and
strikes were staged in Khartoum (capital city) by students,
professionals and workers. Their pretext was the government's
withdrawal of subsidies on food and fuel. The disturbances went on
unabated for days and the participants called on Nimeiri to resign.
On April 6, 1985, while Nimeiri was still out of Sudan, the military
announced that Nimeiri had been overthrown. Leadership of Africa's
vastest country was then entrusted to Gen. Swar el Dahab - the
Commander-in-'Chief of the armed forces. The military promised to
return the country to civilian rule within a year. In the wake of the
coup, John Garang and his SPLA in the south asked the Sudanese military
to surrender power to civilians forthwith, and refused to negotiate
with the junta. Observers describe Gen. Dahab as a career officer
without political polarization.
National Movements and New States in Africa